I had the most perfectly wonderful Friday! In fact, I’ve had a memorable and awesome April and it has spilled into May! Why? I was vaccinated with Moderna (second shot April 2nd) and achieved full immunity two weeks later! I have such a feeling of relief that it is, simply put; euphoric. I highly recommend that you get vaccinated so that you too can safely rejoin the ranks of humanity.

I’m not getting all preachy here, but if you are truly hesitant, I totally understand. However, life after vaccination has rewarded me in ways I can hardly explain. I was much more afraid of getting Covid than I was of getting the two shots, because everyone I talk to, knows someone that has died or was severely ill with long-term affects of the disease. I did not want to become a statistic, nor lay in a hospital alone on a respirator as my Mother did before she died fifteen years ago. I still suffer anxiety just like PTSD from the trauma of feeling desperately helpless watching her take her last breaths. Enough said about that. So quit worrying about the vaccine and go get your shots and your life back.

I am a very social person and love to hear about people’s life experiences and to share some of mine. I also care about people to the extent that I would never jeopardize anyone’s life by risking infecting them with Covid. We had to make some very tough decisions over the past year during the pandemic, as most of us have. We traveled home for a family funeral last June. It felt risky, but necessary, and we were very cautious. We cancelled our daughter and granddaughter’s Christmas visit. We cancelled a second time in early Spring. She cried, we cried, but we all survived. I could go on but would rather not.

So what was so great about last Friday? Friends! We moved into our home one year ago this June. We were finally able to have a celebration. We were all vaccinated and we hugged each other! Imagine that!! We laughed, we ate, we drank and shared our stories. It was delightful and delicious! Eight of us here together. It was what we have waited so long to do safely with little to no risk. It was simply wonderful and so normal. I could hardly sleep that night from the excitement and the happiness in my heart. We are the lucky ones! We have survived a pandemic and don’t take it for granted. We have been given the chance to live more life. That is special.

In mid April, our daughter came to spend one week with us after she was also fully vaccinated. For me, it was like Christmas was coming and I was 6 years old again! (I got an Easy-Bake oven from Santa that year!) Excitement filled our home and we were both almost giddy as we prepared for her visit! Her Dad was prepping the outside of our home with much detail as I prettied the inside. The guestroom was made cozy, the refrigerator was full, a celebratory meal was planned, wine was stocked. The place was fit for a Princess to enter and we could not wait! When she finally arrived, it was as if the pandemic never occurred! We hugged and filled the house with laughter. We took her to our favorite places and ate, drank, and felt merry to the very end of the week that she was here. I never realized just how quiet our house was all this past year until she was gone. It’s been just the two of us and a pandemic.

But, for me, it is over. I did what I had to do and continue to do the right things, but if you are vaccinated, you get your “get out of jail FREE” card! You get a second chance to grow old. You get to make plans. You get to plan a vacation. You can eat indoors with people and not feel contaminated or hurried to leave. We are moving on. In just a little over four weeks, our house will be filled with laughter once again, as our daughter returns with our granddaughter for another visit.

Yes, it is euphoria at it’s best. Two little shots and about six weeks of waiting did that for me. I plan to be happy from here on in because happiness is a choice. I choose it with all my heart. ❤️

I am what I am today because of the most kind, generous & loving person that I have ever known. She taught me everything I know about honesty and respecting the life of others. She is the first person I ever loved with all my heart, and she is and always will be missed with every breath I take. I love life because of her. She is without a doubt the most beautiful person I have ever known. I love you Mom….

Happy Mother’s Day to my Heavenly Angel that I call Mom